Semiconductor light emitting element and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor light emitting element having: a semiconductor laminated body; a full surface electrode containing an Ag provided on an upper surface of the p-type semiconductor layer; a cover electrode that covers a surface of the full surface electrode, is provided to contact on the upper surface of the p-type semiconductor layer at an outer edge of the full surface electrode, and is made of an Al-based metal material; a p-side electrode that is provided on a portion of a surface of the cover electrode; a metal oxide film that covers other surfaces of the cover electrode and contains an oxide of a metal material forming the cover electrode; and an insulation film that is made of an oxide and covers a surface of the metal oxide film, is provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/173,013 filed Jun. 3, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/279,890 filed May 16, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,385,280, which claims benefit of the filing date of Japanese PatentApplication No. 2013-105270 filed on May 17, 2013, and of the filingdate of Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-97945 filed on May 9, 2014,the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

The invention relates to a semiconductor light emitting element, and amethod of manufacturing the semiconductor light emitting element.

Description of the Related Art

As one of methods for mounting a semiconductor light emitting element ona mounting substrate, a flip-chip mounting method has been known. Thesemiconductor light emitting element used for flip-chip mounting has ann-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer formed on asubstrate such as sapphire. The semiconductor light emitting elementfurther has an n-side electrode and a p-side electrode which areconnected to the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductorlayer, respectively and are formed on the same plane side of thesubstrate. After setting the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-typesemiconductor layer to face downward, the semiconductor light emittingelement is mounted such that the p-side electrode and the n-typeelectrode are opposed to wiring electrodes on a mounting substrate.

At this time, a light extraction surface of the semiconductor lightemitting element is provided on a substrate side which is an oppositeside to a surface where the semiconductor layers are laminated.Therefore, a reflection member for reflecting light to the substrateside is provided on a semiconductor layer side.

For example, Patent Literatures, Japanese Patent Publication No.2007-80924 A, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-245231 A or JapanesePatent Publication No. 2012-238823 A disclose semiconductor lightemitting elements which are mounted by flip-chip mounting. Thesemiconductor light emitting element has a sapphire substrate on whichthe n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer arelaminated in that order. A metal reflection film is formed on anapproximately entire upper surface of the p-type semiconductor layer.The metal reflection film is made of an Ag or an Ag alloy and has goodreflectivity to, especially, visible light. Also, each semiconductorlight emitting element disclosed in these Patent Literatures has a metalfilm which covers the metal reflection film to prevent Ag migrationcontained in the metal reflection film, and further has a p-side padelectrode on the metal film.

Further, each semiconductor light emitting element including the metalfilm disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-245231 A andJapanese Patent Publication No. 2012-238823 A is covered with aninsulation film made of an oxide or a nitride except connection portionsof pad electrodes with an outside.

The insulation film made of the oxide or the like and the metal filmcannot necessarily have a good adhesion property. Problems such that theinsulation film is peeled from the metal film and a gap is formed at theconnection portions may occur. If the insulation film is peeled from themetal film or the gap is formed, the metal film deteriorates undermoisture, oxygen and the like in an open air. Consequently, if aprevention function to Ag migration of the metal film lowers, Agmigrates and a function as the semiconductor light emitting element isdamaged.

Further, the metal film which prevents the migration is formed inconsideration of a barrier property to Ag and an adhesion property withthe reflection film. For example, each semiconductor light emittingelement disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-245231 A andJapanese Patent Publication No. 2012-238823 A has a bottom layer made ofNi, Pt, Ti in the metal film for preventing migration abutting on thereflection film. However, since reflectance to, especially, the visiblelight of these metals is relatively low, light cannot be reflectedsufficiently on a surface where the metal film abuts on thesemiconductor layer at an outer edge of the reflection film, and lightextraction efficiency suffers due to the low reflectance.

SUMMARY

The invention is to provide a semiconductor light emitting elementhaving a reflection film which contains Ag and a metal film whichprevents migration of Ag contained in the reflection film, whichmaintains good prevention effect to migration and improves the lightextraction efficiency, and a method of manufacturing the semiconductorlight emitting element.

A semiconductor light emitting element has: a semiconductor laminatedbody in which an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductorlayer are laminated; a first metal film that is provided on an uppersurface of the p-type semiconductor layer and of which a surfacecontacting on the p-type semiconductor layer is made of an Ag or anAg-based alloy; a second metal film that covers a surface of the firstmetal film, is provided to contact on the upper surface of the p-typesemiconductor layer at an outer edge of the first metal film, and ismade of an Al or an Al-based alloy; a third metal film that is providedon a portion of a surface of the second metal film; a metal oxide filmthat covers other portions of the second metal film and contains atleast an oxide of a metal material forming the second metal film; and aninsulation film that covers a surface of the metal oxide film and ismade of an oxide.

Further, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor light emittingelement has steps of: forming a semiconductor laminated body bylaminating a n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductorlayer; forming a first metal film on an upper surface of the p-typesemiconductor layer such that a surface contacting on the p-typesemiconductor layer is made of an Ag or an Ag-based alloy; forming asecond metal film that covers a surface of the first metal film, isprovided to contact on the upper surface of the p-type semiconductorlayer at an outer edge of the first metal film, and is made of an Al oran Al alloy; forming a metal oxide film that covers a surface of thesecond metal film and contains at least an oxide of a metal materialforming the second metal film; forming an insulation film that covers asurface of the metal oxide film with an insulation material made of anoxide; and exposing a portion of the surface of the second metal film byetching; and forming a third metal film on an exposed portion of thesecond metal film.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic planar view illustrating a structure of asemiconductor light emitting element according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along line B-B in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view along line C-C in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a detail view of box B of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 1E is a detail view of box C of FIG. 1C;

FIG. 1F is a cross sectional view along point A1-point A2-point A3-pointA4 in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a schematically enlarged cross-sectional view of a connectionportion between a cover electrode and a p-side electrode of thesemiconductor light emitting element according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a flowchart illustrating all manufacturing processes for amethod of manufacturing the semiconductor light emitting elementaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a detailed flowchart illustrating a second metal filmexposure process;

FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a formed semiconductorlaminated body;

FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a formed full surfaceelectrode;

FIG. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a formed metal film ascover electrode;

FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a formed resist patternto shape a cover electrode;

FIG. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the shaped coverelectrode;

FIG. 5C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a formed metal oxidefilm;

FIG. 5D is a schematic cross-sectional view of a formed stepped portion;

FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a formed insulation film;

FIG. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a formed resist patternto form a p-side electrode and an n-side electrode;

FIG. 6C is a schematic cross-sectional view of exposed cover electrodeand an n-type semiconductor layer;

FIG. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a formed metal film as ap-side electrode and a n-side electrode;

FIG. 7B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a shaped p-side electrodeand an n-side electrode;

FIG. 8A is a schematic planar view illustrating a structure of asemiconductor light emitting element according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view along A-A line in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view illustrating the partially scaledcross-section along A-A line in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing thesemiconductor light emitting element according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a formed firstinsulation film, a p-side electrode and a n-side electrode;

FIG. 10B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a formed secondinsulation film;

FIG. 10C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a formed eutectic padelectrode;

FIG. 11A is a schematic planar view illustrating a structure of asemiconductor light emitting element according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view along A-A line in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional view illustrating the partially scaledcross-section along A-A line in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A is a schematic planar view illustrating a structure of asemiconductor light emitting element according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view along A-A line in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 12C is a cross-sectional view illustrating the partially scaledcross-section along A-A line in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing thesemiconductor light emitting element according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 14A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a formed cover electrodeand a metal oxide film;

FIG. 14B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a formed n-sideelectrode;

FIG. 14C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a formed insulationfilm;

FIG. 15A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exposed coverelectrode and an exposed n-side electrode;

FIG. 15B is a schematic cross-sectional view of formed eutectic padelectrodes;

FIG. 16A is a schematic planar view illustrating a structure of asemiconductor light emitting element according to a fifth embodiment;and

FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view along A-A line in FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional view illustrating the partially scaledcross-section along A-A line in FIG. 16A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a semiconductor light emitting element and a method ofmanufacturing the semiconductor light emitting element according toembodiments will be explained with reference to accompanying drawings.

In the explanations below, since the drawings illustrate the embodimentschematically, a scale, spaces and positional relationships of eachmember, etc. may be exaggerated and portions of members may not beillustrated. Further, the scale and the spaces of each member may notcorrespond between planar views and cross-sectional views. Stillfurther, in the explanations below, same or similar members arebasically denoted by the same names and reference numbers, and detaileddescriptions thereof will be omitted.

First Embodiment

[Structure of a Semiconductor Light Emitting Element]

A structure of a semiconductor light emitting element according to afirst embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1F. Itis noted that FIG. 1F is a cross-sectional view along point A1-pointA2-point A3-point A4 in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1F illustrates widths of membersand spaces therebetween by scaling as needed to make an internalstructure of the semiconductor light emitting element clearer. Thepoints A1 to A4 illustrated in FIG. 1F correspond to points A1 to A4 inFIG. 1A, respectively. A semiconductor light emitting element 1according to the first embodiment is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) forflip-chip mounting. As illustrated in FIGS. 1B to 1F, the semiconductorlight emitting element 1 according to the first embodiment has asubstrate 2, a semiconductor laminated body 3 laminated on the substrate2, an n-side electrode 4 n, a full surface electrode 41 (first metalfilm), a cover electrode 42 (second metal film), a metal oxide film 43,a p-side electrode 4 p (third metal film) and an insulation film 6. Inthe embodiment, to fit for flip-chip mounting, both the n-side electrode4 n and the p-side electrode 4 p are provided on a surface of thesubstrate 2 where the semiconductor laminated body 3 is provided.

In FIG. 1A, the insulation film 6 and the metal oxide film 43 are notillustrated. Further, in a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1B, each layerof the substrate 2 and the semiconductor laminated body 3 is notillustrated by hatching.

In the specification, “upper” indicates a direction which isperpendicular to a surface of the substrate 2 where the semiconductorlaminated body 3 is laminated and along which the semiconductorlaminated body 3 is laminated. For example, in FIGS. 1B to 1F, the“upper” indicates an upper direction in the figure.

(Substrate)

The substrate 2 may be made of any substrate materials on which thesemiconductor laminated body 3 can carry out epitaxial growth, and asize, thickness etc. thereof are not particularly limited. In case thatthe semiconductor laminated body 3 is made of a nitride semiconductor,

an insulating material such as sapphire or spinel (MgAl₂O₄) havingeither a C-plane, an R-plane or an A-plane as principal plane may beused. Further, silicon carbide (SiC), silicon, ZnS, ZnO, GaAs, diamondmay be used. Still further, oxide such as lithium niobate or neodymiumgallate which are capable of forming a lattice matching with a nitridesemiconductor may be used. Further, since the semiconductor lightemitting element 1 of the first embodiment is directed to flip-chipmounting, a light extraction surface is provided on a reverse surface ofthe substrate 2. Therefore, since light emitted in the semiconductorlight emitting element 1 emits from the light extraction surface throughthe substrate 2, the substrate 2 is preferably transparent to at leastwavelength of the light.

(Semiconductor Laminated Body)

The semiconductor laminated body 3 has an n-type semiconductor layer 31,an active layer 32, and a p-type semiconductor layer 33 in a laminatedstructure from the substrate 2 side successively. Further, in the firstembodiment, stepped portions 3 a, 3 b are provided which are formed byremoving all of the p-type semiconductor layer 33 and the active layer32 and a portion of the n-type semiconductor layer 31 in a thicknessdirection at a portion of a surface of the semiconductor laminated body3.

The stepped portion 3 a is a region for providing the n-side electrode 4n. In the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the steppedportion 3 a has an approximately circular shape seen in planar view.Shortly, cylindrically concaved portions are provided at nine positionson the semiconductor laminated body 3 as stepped portions 3 a. Further,the stepped portion 3 b is formed at an outer edge portion of thesemiconductor laminated body 3, and is a remainder of a cutting regionfor forming the semiconductor light emitting element 1 as a chipstructure from a wafer in a manufacturing process.

The number, a shape and arrangement positions of the stepped portions 3a are not limited to this embodiment and the stepped portion 3 a may beprovided at one or more positions with an appropriate shape in anappropriate region.

Though the n-type semiconductor layer 31, the active layer 32 and thep-type semiconductor layer 33 are not especially limited, in case of thenitride semiconductor, a semiconductor material such asIn_(X)Al_(Y)Ga_(1-X-Y)N (0≤X, 0≤Y, X+Y≤1) may be used, and a galliumnitride based compound semiconductor is preferably used. Each of then-type semiconductor layer 31, the active layer 32 and the p-typesemiconductor layer 33 may have a single layer structure, or may have alaminated structure or a superlattice structure of layers havingdifferent compositions and film thickness. Especially, the active layer32 as light emitting layer preferably has a single quantum wellstructure or a multiple quantum well structure in which thin filmsproducing a quantum effect are laminated. Further, the well layer ispreferably a nitride semiconductor containing In. The n-typesemiconductor layer 31 may be formed on the substrate 2 via a groundlayer (not illustrated) such as a buffer layer for properly bufferinginconsistency of a lattice constant with the substrate 2.

In the first embodiment, though a forming method of the semiconductorlayer is not particularly limited, a MOVPE (Metal-Organic Vapor PhaseEpitaxy), a MOCVD (Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition), a HVPE(Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy), a MBE (Molecular Beam Epitaxy) or thelike can be preferably used, which are well-known as growth methods of anitride semiconductor. Particularly, the MOCVD is preferable because ofgrowth with excellent crystallizability. Further, preferably, a growthmethod may be appropriately selected from various growth methods for thesemiconductor laminated body 3 based on intended use for each layer.

(Full Surface Electrode (First Metal Film))

The full surface electrode 41 is an electrode which is provided on thep-type semiconductor layer 33 to cover almost all surface of the p-typesemiconductor layer 33, and which evenly diffuses electric currentsupplied from an outside via the p-side electrode 4 p and the coverelectrode 42 over an entire surface of the p-type semiconductor layer33. Further, the semiconductor light emitting element 1 according to thefirst embodiment for flip-chip mounting has a function as reflectionfilm for reflecting the light emitted in the active layer 32 toward thereverse surface side as light extraction surface of the substrate 2.

The full surface electrode 41 is preferably an ohmic electrode which canbe electrically connected to the p-type semiconductor layer 33 properlyand preferably has high reflectance to wavelength of the light emittedat least in the active layer 32. Therefore, in the first embodiment, asingle layer film of an Ag or an Ag-based alloy having high lightreflectance and a multilayer film with Ni, Ti or the like having the Agor the Ag-based alloy as a bottom layer can be used suitably for thefull surface electrode 41. More preferably, a multilayer film ofAg/Ni/Ti/Ru having Ag as the bottom layer (p-type semiconductor layer 33side) can be used. The full surface electrode 41 can be formed tolaminate these materials sequentially by a sputtering method, anevaporation method or the like.

Though film thickness of the full surface electrode 41 is notparticularly limited, for example, in case that a single layer film ofthe Ag or the Ag-based alloy is formed, the film thickness can be set toa value such that the light from the active layer 32 can be reflectedeffectively, the value being especially around 20 to 1000 nm, preferablyaround 50 to 300 nm, and more preferably around 100 nm. In case of themultilayer film as the full surface electrode 41, total film thicknessis around 50 to 5000 nm and is preferably around 50 to 1000 nm. The filmthickness of the Ag or the Ag alloy film contained in the multilayerfilm can be adjusted appropriately within such a range. Further, in caseof the multilayer film as the full surface electrode 41, the Ag or theAg alloy film and a film laminated thereon may have the same shape bypatterning in the same process, and the Ag or the Ag alloy film at thebottom layer is preferably covered with a film (preferably, a metal filmsuch as Ni or Ti which does not react with Ag) laminated thereon. Thus,whatever electrode material is used as a portion of the full surfaceelectrode 41 on the metal film which does not react with Ag, thematerial does not contact with the Ag or the Ag-based alloy filmdirectly. Therefore, reaction with Ag can be prevented.

(Cover Electrode (Second Metal Film))

The cover electrode 42 is a metal film which covers an entire surface ofthe full surface electrode 41, that is, an entire upper surface and anentire full side surface, and functions as barrier layer for preventingmigration of a constituent material of the full surface electrode 41,especially Ag.

Further, the cover electrode 42 contacts on an upper surface of thep-type semiconductor layer 33 at an outer edge portion of the fullsurface electrode 41 and functions as reflecting film on a contactsurface with the p-type semiconductor layer 33.

Current density rises in the semiconductor laminated body 3 around then-side electrode 4 n. Thus, emission intensity rises in a region of theactive layer 32 facing the n-side electrode 4 n seen in planar view.Therefore, in the region having high emission intensity, lightextraction efficiency can be improved by raising reflectance of thecover electrode 42 which contacts with the p-type semiconductor layer 33laminated on the active layer 32.

Thus, a material is preferably used for the cover electrode 42, whichcan prevent migration of Ag in the full surface electrode 41 properlyand has high reflectance to the wavelength of the light emitted from theactive layer 32. An Al or an Al-based alloy can be used as such amaterial. As an Al-based alloy, for example, an Al—Cu alloy (forexample, Cu: 2 mass %, Al: remainder), an Al—Cu—Si alloy (for example,Cu: 2 mass %, Si: 1 mass %, Al: remainder) can be used. Additive amountsuch as Cu, Si can be properly prepared, and around 0.1 to 10 mass % ofCu and around 0.1 to 10 mass % of Si can be contained. Further, the filmthickness of the cover electrode 42 can be set around 100 to 5000 nm.

Still further, the cover electrode 42 is preferably provided from anedge portion of the full surface electrode 41 to a region around 2 to 10μm away outwardly in planar view. Thus, the migration of Ag contained inthe full surface electrode 41 can be prevented appropriately.

The cover electrode 42 can be formed by, for example, the sputteringmethod or the evaporation method.

(Metal Oxide Film)

The metal oxide film 43 is an insulation film which covers a surface ofthe cover electrode 42 and is provided to contact on a side surface ofthe p-side electrode 4 p. The metal oxide film 43 functions with theinsulation film 6 as protective film which prevents damage in themanufacturing process of the cover electrode 42. Further, the metaloxide film 43 is provided to contact on the p-side electrode 4 p so thatoxygen and water coming from a gap between the insulation film 6 and thep-side electrode 4 p is prevented from contacting on the cover electrode42. Consequently, the insulation film 6 is prevented from peeling fromthe cover electrode 42 effectively.

Further, the metal oxide film 43 is a film containing at least an oxideof a metal material forming the cover electrode 42. The metal oxide film43 is a film formed by oxidizing the surface of the cover electrode 42,and is preferably formed with an Al oxide mainly. Thus, the coverelectrode 42 can be adhered with the metal oxide film 43 properly.Further, in case that an oxide such as SiO₂ or TiO₂ is used as theinsulation film 6, an adhesion property with the metallic coverelectrode 42 is not necessarily high. While, as in the first embodiment,by covering via the metal oxide film 43 which is formed by the oxidizedcover electrode 42, it is evaluated that the adhesion property betweenthe insulation film 6 and the cover electrode 42 improves.

Film thickness of the metal oxide film 43 may be around 50 Å (5 nm).(N-side electrode, p-side electrode)

The n-side electrode 4 n and the p-side electrode 4 p are pad electrodesfor supplying the electric current from the outside to the semiconductorlight emitting element 1. The n-side electrode 4 n is electricallyconnected to the n-type semiconductor layer 31 and the p-side electrode4 p is electrically connected to the p-type semiconductor layer 33 viathe cover electrode 42 and the full surface electrode 41, respectively.

The n-side electrode 4 n is provided on the n-type semiconductor layer31 which is a base surface of the stepped portion 3 a of thesemiconductor laminated body 3. In the first embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1A, the n-side electrodes 4 n are provided respectively in thestepped portions 3 a which are provided at the nine positions in thesemiconductor laminated body 3.

Further, the p-side electrode 4 p is provided on a portion of an uppersurface of the cover electrode 42. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.1A, the p-side electrodes 4 p each having an oblong and rectangularshape seen in planar view are provided at four positions on the uppersurface of the cover electrode 42.

Preferably, the n-side electrode 4 n has a good adhesion property withthe n-type semiconductor layer 31, can be ohmic-connected properly, andis made of a material having low electric resistance. As such amaterial, a single layer film or a multilayer film of a metal ofmaterial such as Au, Cu, Ni, Al, Pt, or an alloy of these metals can beused. Further, a contact surface between the n-side electrode 4 n andthe n-type semiconductor layer 31 also functions as reflection film forreflecting the light which propagates in the semiconductor laminatedbody 3. Therefore, the contact surface preferably has high reflectanceto the wavelength of the light emitted by the active layer 32. An Al oran Al-based alloy can be used as such a material, and, for example, anAl—Cu—Si alloy (for example, Cu: 2 mass %, Si: 1 mass %, Al: remainder),and an Al—Cu alloy (for example, Cu: 2 mass %, Al: remainder) can beused. Especially, the Al—Cu—Si alloy is preferably used, in whichforward voltage Vf is decreased. An additive amount such as Cu, Si canbe properly prepared, and around 0.1 to 10 mass % of Cu and around 0.1to 10 mass % of Si can be contained.

Further, a multilayer film such as an Al—Cu—Si alloy/Ti/Pt/Au/Ti from,for example, a low layer side successively may be used in considerationof overall electric resistance and connectivity with the outside.

Preferably, the p-side electrode 4 p has a good adhesion property withthe cover electrode 42, and is made of a material having low electricresistance. The same material as the above described n-side electrode 4n can be used as such a material. Especially, in case of using an Al oran Al-based alloy as the cover electrode 42, the Al or the Al-basedalloy is preferably used for the bottom layer of the p-side electrode 4p which contacts with at least the cover electrode 42. Thus, theadhesion property with the cover electrode 42 can be improved. Further,a multilayer film of an Al—Cu—Si alloy/Ti/Pt/Au/Ti may be used from thelow layer side in consideration of overall electric resistance andconnectivity with the outside.

The n-side electrode 4 n and the p-side electrode 4 p can be formed withthe above described metal material by the evaporation method or thesputtering method.

Further, a metal bump (not illustrated) made of Au or Au—Sn eutecticcrystal may be provided on the n-side electrode 4 n and the p-sideelectrode 4 p.

(Insulation Film)

The insulation film 6 is an insulation film which covers an exposedsurface (upper surfaces and side surfaces of the stepped portions 3 a, 3b) of the semiconductor laminated body 3, and functions as protectivefilm and antistatic film of the semiconductor light emitting element 1.The insulation film 6 can be made of an oxide such as Si, Ti, Ta, Nb,and can be formed by a well-known method such as the evaporation methodor the sputtering method. Film thickness of the insulation film 6 ispreferably equal to or more than 100 nm and can be formed with SiO₂, forexample, having about 350 nm film thickness.

In the first embodiment, the insulation film 6 does not cover upperportions (upper surfaces and upper portions of the side surfaces) of then-side electrode 4 n and the p-side electrode 4 p as pad electrodes.Further, in the first embodiment, since the insulation film 6 covers thecover electrode 42 via the metal oxide film 43, the insulation film 6adheres with the cover electrode 42 sufficiently.

Referring to FIG. 2 (see FIGS. 1A to 1F as needed), a connection portionbetween the cover electrode 42 and the p-side electrode 4 p will beexplained.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the p-side electrode 4 p is provided on aconcave part 42 a formed on a portion of the upper surface of the coverelectrode 42. Though the detail thereof will be described later, theconcave part 42 a is formed by removing the metal oxide film 43 and theinsulation film 6 formed on the cover electrode 42 through etching andby further etching. Further, a base surface of the concave part 42 a asa connecting surface with the p-side electrode 4 p is formed in a roughsurface. Further, the base surface of the concave part 42 a may have aresidue 43 a of the metal oxide film 43 which has not been removed byetching. In other words, depth of the concave part 42 a may be set to adegree that the metal oxide film 43 is almost removed or more than that.

Further, the adhesion property between the cover electrode 42 and thep-side electrode 4 p is improved by providing the p-side electrode 4 pon the rough-surfaced concave part 42 a.

Further, as disclosed above, the surface of the cover electrode 42 iscovered with the metal oxide film 43, and an edge portion of the metaloxide film 43 is provided to contact on the side surface of the p-sideelectrode 4 p. Still further, the surface of the cover electrode 42 isfurther covered with the insulation film 6 via the metal oxide film 43.Shortly, the surface of the cover electrode 42 is covered with the metaloxide film 43 and the insulation film 6 doubly.

Thus, the cover electrode 42 is protected from oxygen and water in theatmosphere effectively and degradation of the cover electrode 42 isprevented. Consequently, prevention function of the cover electrode 42to migration of Ag contained in the full surface electrode 41 can bemaintained for a long time, and reliability of the semiconductor lightemitting element 1 can be improved.

[Operation of the Semiconductor Light Emitting Element]

An operation of the semiconductor light emitting element 1 according tothe first embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1F.

When the electric current is supplied from the outside via the metalbump or bonding wires (not illustrated) to the n-side electrode 4 n andthe p-side electrode 4 p in the semiconductor light emitting element 1,the active layer 32 in the semiconductor laminated body 3 emits. Thelight emitted by the active layer 32 is extracted from the reversesurface side of the substrate 2. Light traveling in an oppositedirection away from the light extraction surface in the light emitted bythe active layer 32 is reflected by the full surface electrode 41 whichfunctions as reflecting film, the contact surface between the coverelectrode 42 and the p-type semiconductor layer 33, the contact surfacebetween the n-side electrode 4 n and the n-type semiconductor layer 31and the like. Finally, the light is extracted from the reverse surfaceside of the substrate 2 as light extraction surface.

[Method of Manufacturing a Nitride Semiconductor Light Emitting Element]

A method of manufacturing the semiconductor light emitting element 1according to the first embodiment will be explained with reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the method of manufacturing the semiconductorlight emitting element 1 includes a semiconductor laminated body formingprocess S11, a first metal film forming process S12, a second metal filmforming process S13, a metal oxide film forming process S14, aninsulation film forming process S15, a second metal film exposureprocess S16 and a third metal film forming process S17.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the second metal film exposureprocess S16 includes a resist pattern forming process S161 and aninsulation film etching process S162.

Each process will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 4A to7B (see FIGS. 1A to 3B as needed). In the first embodiment, a case inwhich a nitride semiconductor is used as a semiconductor material willbe explained.

Further, in FIGS. 3A to 7B, the substrate 2 is omitted, and each layerof the semiconductor laminated body 3 is not illustrated by hatching.

(Semiconductor Laminated Body Forming Process)

In the semiconductor laminated body forming process S11, as illustratedin FIG. 4A, the semiconductor laminated body 3 is formed on thetranslucent substrate 2 such as sapphire by a well-known manufacturingmethod. In the case illustrated in FIG. 4A, the semiconductor laminatedbody 3 is formed with the n-type semiconductor layer 31, the activelayer 32 and the p-type semiconductor layer 33 laminated in that order.

The semiconductor laminated body forming process S11 will be brieflyexplained. Each nitride semiconductor forming the n-type semiconductorlayer 31, the active layer 32 and the p-type semiconductor layer 33 isgrown on the substrate 2 such as sapphire by the MOVPE method. Then, thesubstrate 2 (also referred to as wafer) on which each layer of thesemiconductor laminated body 3 is grown is annealed in temperaturesbetween 600 to 700 degrees Celsius in a nitride atmosphere. The p-typesemiconductor layer 33 preferably has low resistivity.

(First Metal Film Forming Process)

In the first metal film forming process S12, a metal film is patternedto form at least the bottom layer of an Ag or an Ag-based alloy as thefull surface electrode (first metal film) 41. Such a metal film can beformed with a multilayer film in which Ag/Ni/Ti/Ru is laminated from alow layer side successively by the sputtering method. Then, asillustrated in FIG. 4B, the full surface electrode 41 having apredetermined shape is formed by a photolithography method.

(Second Metal Film Forming Process)

In the second metal film forming process S13, the cover electrode(second metal film) 42 is formed.

In the process, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, a metal film of an Al or anAl-based alloy such as an Al—Cu alloy is formed as the cover electrode42 by the sputtering method over the wafer.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, a resist pattern 71 for shaping thecover electrode 42 in a predetermined shape is formed on the metal filmas the cover electrode 42 by the photolithography method. Shortly, aregion where the resist pattern 71 is provided corresponds to a regionwhere the cover electrode 42 in a predetermined shape is provided seenin planar view.

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, a region of the metal filmwhere the resist pattern 71 as mask is not provided is removed byetching to shape an outer shape of the cover electrode 42. After that,the resist pattern 71 is removed.

(Metal Oxide Film Forming Process)

In the metal oxide film forming process S14, as illustrated in FIG. 5C,the metal oxide film 43 having an Al oxide as a base is formed byoxidation treatment on an exposed surface of the cover electrode 42. Theoxidation treatment on the cover electrode 42 may be carried out by (a)a processing method with an oxidizing solution such as nitric acid orsulfuric acid, (b) ashing with ultraviolet light or the like, (c) acleansing method with ozone or the like, (d) an annealing method in anoxygen atmosphere, or (e) a hydrothermal treatment.

Further, in the second metal film forming process S13 as a previousprocess, the metal oxide film forming process S14 may be achieved by aheat treatment or use of the oxidizing solution in the course ofremoving the resist pattern 71 after the cover electrode 42 is shaped.

Still further, Al as a base of the cover electrode 42 is oxidized bybeing left in an atmosphere (shortly, under oxygen), and the metal oxidefilm 43 having an Al oxide as a base can be formed.

As illustrated in FIG. 5D, the stepped portion 3 a for providing then-side electrode 4 n and the stepped portion 3 b as cutting region forthe semiconductor light emitting element 1 are exposed. Apredetermined-shaped mask is formed on the wafer after annealing byphotoresist and all of the p-type semiconductor layer 33 and the activelayer 32 are removed in a thickness direction by reactive ion etching(RIE). Further, a portion of the n-type semiconductor layer 31 isremoved to expose the n-type semiconductor layer 31. After the etching,the resist is removed.

The full surface electrode 41 is provided away from edge portions of thestepped portions 3 a, 3 b such that the side surface thereof is coveredby the cover electrode 42.

Either one of processes of the metal oxide film forming processesillustrated in FIG. 5C and the forming process of the stepped portions 3a, 3 b illustrated in FIG. 5D may be performed prior to the other.

(Insulation Film Forming Process)

In the insulation film forming process S15, as illustrated in FIG. 6A,an insulating oxide such as SiO₂ or the like is laminated over a surfaceof the wafer by the sputtering method or a CVD method to form theinsulation film 6.

(Second Metal Film Exposure Process)

In the second metal film exposure process S16, a region of the coverelectrode (second metal film) 42 where the p-side electrode 4 p isprovided is exposed by etching. In the first embodiment, the n-typesemiconductor layer 31 of the region where the n-side electrode 4 n isprovided is exposed simultaneously in the process.

To do this, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, a resist pattern 72 is formed ina resist pattern forming process S161 as a sub-process of the secondmetal film exposure process S16. The resist pattern 72 has an opening(resist opening) 72 p where the p-side electrode 4 p is provided and anopening 72 n where the n-side electrode 4 n is formed.

As illustrated in FIG. 6C, the openings 6 p, 6 n are formed by removingthe insulation film 6 in the openings 72 p, 72 n having the resistpattern 72 as mask in an insulation film etching process S162 as a nextsub-process of the second metal film exposure process S16.

Thus, the cover electrode (second metal film) 42 of the region where thep-side electrode 4 p is provided is exposed, and the n-typesemiconductor layer 31 of the region where the n-side electrode 4 n isprovided is exposed.

Further, the metal oxide film 43 is removed in the opening 72 p and aportion of the cover electrode 42 is removed in the thickness directionby further etching to form the concave portion 42 a (see FIG. 2). Atthis time, a base surface of the concave portion 42 a, that is, anexposed surface of the cover electrode 42 is preferably roughened.

The metal oxide film 43 is not necessarily removed completely and may beremoved to the extent that the residue 43 a (see FIG. 2) remains.

Further, the concave portion 42 a can be formed by removing to theextent that the full surface electrode 41 is not exposed, for example,by removing the cover electrode 42 around several nm to 2500 nm in thethickness direction, though depending on the thickness of the coverelectrode 42.

As an etching agent for roughening the cover electrode 42 made of an Alor an Al-based alloy by etching, for example, hydrofluoric acid or mixedacid containing hydrofluoric acid may be used. Further, a buffer agentsuch as ammonium fluoride may be added appropriately. Degree ofroughness can be controlled by adjusting temperature at a time ofetching.

In the next process of the third metal film forming process S17, in casethat the bottom layer of the p-side electrode 4 p is made of a metalmaterial of an Al or an Al-based alloy, by roughening the exposedportion of the cover electrode 42, the Al-based material in the bottomlayer of the p-side electrode 4 p attaches on the entire exposed surfaceof the cover electrode 42 of an Al or an Al-based alloy, resulting infilm growth. Therefore, a contact area between the cover electrode 42and the p-side electrode 4 p increases, and the adhesion property, thatis, bond strength can be more improved. Further, in addition to theincrease of the contact area by roughening, since both the coverelectrode 42 and at least the bottom layer of the p-side electrode 4 pare made of an Al-based material, the bond strength can be moreimproved.

(Third Metal Film Forming Process)

In the third metal film forming process S17, as illustrated in FIG. 7A,a metal film 40 to become the p-side electrode (third metal film) 4 pand the n-side electrode 4 n is formed over the wafer while the resistpattern 72 formed in the second metal film exposure process S16 ismaintained. In the first embodiment, at least the bottom layer is formedwith an Al or an Al-based alloy. Further, the metal film 40 may be asingle layer film of an Al or an Al alloy, or a multilayer film in whicha different material is laminated on an upper layer.

In the first embodiment, the n-side electrode 4 n and the p-sideelectrode 4 p are formed with the same material, but a differentmaterial may be used to form the n-side electrode 4 n by separating theforming process of the n-side electrode 4 n.

Next, by removing (lifting-off) the resist pattern 72 with the metalfilm 40 laminated thereon, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the semiconductorlight emitting element 1 is manufactured in which the p-side electrode 4p and the n-side electrode 4 n are shaped in a predetermined form.

Though not illustrated, by cutting the stepped portion 3 b as cuttingregion by a scribing method or a dicing method, the semiconductoremitting element 1 can be formed as a chip structure.

Second Embodiment

[Structure of a Semiconductor Light Emitting Element]

A structure of a semiconductor light emitting element according to asecond embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8C. Asemiconductor light emitting element 1A according to the secondembodiment is an LED for flip-chip mounting. As illustrated in FIGS. 8Ato 8C, the semiconductor light emitting element 1A has the substrate 2,the semiconductor laminated body 3 laminated on the substrate 2, then-side electrode 4 n, an n-side eutectic pad electrode 8 n (fourth metalfilm), the full surface electrode 41, the cover electrode 42, the metaloxide film 43, the p-side electrode 4 p, a p-side eutectic pad electrode8 p (fifth metal film) and the insulation film 6. In the secondembodiment, to fit for flip-chip mounting, both the n-side electrode 4 nand the p-side electrode 4 p are provided on a surface of the substrate2 where the semiconductor laminated body 3 is provided.

The semiconductor light emitting element 1A according to the secondembodiment differs from the semiconductor light emitting element 1according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1F in thatthe p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p and the n-side eutectic padelectrode 8 n are further provided.

In FIG. 8A, the insulation film 6 and the metal oxide film 43 areomitted. Further, in a cross-sectional view illustrated in FIG. 8B, eachlayer of the substrate 2 and the semiconductor laminated body 3 is notillustrated by hatching. FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view along A-Aline in FIG. 8A. FIG. 8C illustrates widths of members and spacestherebetween by scaling as needed to make an internal structure of thesemiconductor light emitting element clearer. Areas A1 to A3 in FIG. 8Ccorrespond to areas A1 to A3 in FIG. 8B, respectively. Shortly, FIG. 8Cillustrates the expanded areas A1 and A3 and the shortened area A2 in ahorizontal direction with respect to FIG. 8B.

(P-Side Eutectic Pad Electrode, N-Side Eutectic Pad Electrode)

The p-side eutectic pad electrode (fifth metal film) 8 p and the n-sideeutectic pad electrode (fourth metal film) 8 n are pad electrodes whichare connected by an Au—Sn eutectic solder or the like when thesemiconductor light emitting element 1A is mounted. The p-side eutecticpad electrode 8 p is electrically connected to an upper surface of thep-side electrode 4 p in the opening 6 p of the insulation film 6 and isprovided to extend over a wide range at a left region in FIG. 8A on theinsulation film 6. Further, the n-side eutectic pad electrode 8 n iselectrically connected to an upper surface of the n-side electrode 4 nin the opening 6 n of the insulation film 6 and is provided to extendover a wide range at a right region in FIG. 8A on the insulation film 6.Still further, both the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p and the n-sideeutectic pad electrode 8 n extend approximately as high as theinsulation film 6 provided above the p-type semiconductor layer 33 seenfrom an upper surface of the substrate 2. Therefore, since heights ofupper ends of the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p and the n-sideeutectic pad electrode 8 n as connection portions for flip-chip mountingalign, a difference in height is not formed between a p-side electrodeconnection surface and a n-side electrode connection surface andreliability of mounting can be increased.

Such a structure of the pad electrode is appropriately referred as asolid wiring structure hereinafter. In the second embodiment, electrodesfor the solid wiring in the semiconductor light emitting element arerefereed as eutectic pad electrodes (the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8p and the n-side eutectic pad electrode 8 n). However, the connection atthe time of mounting is not limited by the eutectic solder and the padelectrodes can be used for an external connection widely. Otherembodiments having the solid wiring structure disclosed later are thesame.

The p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p and the n-side eutectic padelectrode 8 n have a good adhesion property with the p-side electrode 4p, the n-side electrode 4 n and the insulation film 6 on which the pads8 p and 8 n are provided, and are preferably metal films having lowelectric resistance as a whole. A multilayer film laminated withTi/Ni/Au from, for example, a low layer side sequentially can be used.

Further, the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8A, the steppedportions 3 a each having an oblong shape seen in planar view areprovided at two positions. A right end portion of each stepped portion 3a has a region which bulges in a circle seen in planar view, and theopening 6 n of the insulation film 6 is formed in the circled region,through which the n-side electrode 4 n is connected to the n-sideeutectic pad electrode 8 n. Further, since the p-side electrode 4 pwhich is provided on the p-type semiconductor layer 33 (at a right sidein FIG. 8B) on which the n-side eutectic pad electrode 8 n extends isnot connected to the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p directly.Therefore, the p-side electrode 4 p can be omitted. However, the p-sideelectrode 4 p is preferably provided so as to align the heights of then-side eutectic pad electrode 8 n and the p-side eutectic pad electrode8 p with respect to the upper surface of the substrate 2.

Further, as the embodiment, since the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 pand the n-side eutectic pad electrode 8 n extend over a wide range, heatdissipation of the semiconductor light emitting element 1A can beimproved. An area and a place where the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8p and the n-side eutectic pad electrode 8 n extend can be appropriatelydesigned in consideration of mountability and heat dissipation.

In the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8C, the p-sideeutectic pad electrode 8 p extends onto the insulation film 6 providedon the n-side electrode 4 n in the stepped portion 3 a.

Further, the insulation film 6 has two layers, one of which being afirst insulation film 61 provided as the insulation film 6 in the firstembodiment, and the other of which being a second insulation film 62provided to cover onto the side surfaces and the upper surfaces exceptthe openings 6 p, 6 n of the p-side electrode 4 p and the n-sideelectrode 4 n. On this account, thickness of the insulation film 6 onthe upper surfaces of the p-side electrode 4 p and the n-side electrode4 n is formed thinner than other regions. The first insulation film 61and the second insulation film 62 are made of the same material and areintegrated films practically.

[Operation of the Semiconductor Light Emitting Element]

The semiconductor light emitting element 1A according to the secondembodiment is the same as the semiconductor light emitting element 1according to the first embodiment, except the shape and the number ofarranged n-side electrodes 4 n and that the electric current is suppliedfrom the outside via the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p and then-side eutectic pad electrode 8 n. Therefore, an explanation foroperation will be omitted.

[Method of Manufacturing the Semiconductor Light Emitting Element]

Next, a method of manufacturing the semiconductor light emitting element1A according to the second embodiment will be explained with referenceto FIG. 9.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the method of manufacturing the semiconductorlight emitting element 1A according to the second embodiment includes asemiconductor laminated body forming process S31, a first metal filmforming process S32, a second metal film forming process S33, a metaloxide film forming process S34, a first insulation film forming process(insulation film forming process) S35, a second metal film exposureprocess S36, a third metal film forming process S37, a second insulationfilm forming process S38 and a fourth, fifth metal film forming processS39.

The semiconductor laminated body forming process S31, the first metalfilm forming process S32, the second metal film forming process S33 andthe metal oxide film forming process S34 are the same as thesemiconductor laminated body forming process S11, the first metal filmforming process S12, the second metal film forming process S13 and themetal oxide film forming process S14 in the method of manufacturing thesemiconductor light emitting element of the first embodiment illustratedin FIG. 3A, respectively. Therefore, explanations thereof will beomitted.

Further, the first insulation film forming process S35 and the secondmetal film exposure process S36 are realized by etching after formingthe first insulation film 61 as the insulation film 6 in the firstembodiment in the insulation film forming process S15 and the secondmetal film exposure process S16 in the first embodiment. Therefore,explanations thereof will be omitted. Further, since the third metalfilm forming process S37 is the same as the third metal film formingprocess S17 in the first embodiment, an explanation thereof will beomitted.

Referring to FIGS. 10A to 10C (FIGS. 8A to 9 as needed), followingprocesses will be explained hereinbelow.

In FIGS. 10A to 10C, the substrate 2 is omitted. Further, each layer ofthe semiconductor laminated body 3 is not illustrated by hatching.

FIG. 10A illustrates a state after the semiconductor laminated bodyforming process S31, the first metal film forming process S32, thesecond metal film forming process S33, the metal oxide film formingprocess S34, the first insulation film forming process S35, the secondmetal film exposure process S36 and the third metal film forming processS37 are performed sequentially. In the second embodiment, the p-sideelectrode (third metal film) 4 p is formed on a region (on the coverelectrode 42 at a right side in FIG. 10A) where the n-side eutectic padelectrode (fourth metal film) 8 n extends, in addition to on a region(on the cover electrode 42 at a left side in FIG. 10A) where the p-sideeutectic pad electrode (fifth metal film) 8 p formed in a post-processis connected. Further, portions except the upper surfaces and upperportions of the side surfaces of the p-side electrode 4 p and the n-sideelectrode 4 n are covered with the first insulation film 61.

In the third metal film forming process S37, preferably, an Al or anAl-based alloy is used for the bottom layer of the p-side electrode 4 p,and a material which does not contain an Al and with which a passivefilm such as an oxide is hardly formed is used for an upper layerthereon. Thus, a passive film is not formed by chemicals or in a hotenvironment used in the post-processes such as the second insulationfilm forming process S38 and in an initial stage of the fourth, fifthmetal film forming process S39. Therefore, the p-side electrode 4 p canbe electrically connected to the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 pproperly. Consequently, a high reliable semiconductor light emittingelement 1A can be formed.

Further, in the second embodiment, the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 pwhich extends over a wide range on the insulation film 6 is not directlybonded to the cover electrode 42 which contains Al so that a passivefilm is easily formed thereon, but is bonded via the p-side electrode(third metal film) 4 p by the above-mentioned process. Therefore, apassive film is not formed between the cover electrode 42 and the p-sideeutectic pad electrode 8 p, and the cover electrode 42 can beelectrically connected to the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 pproperly.

(Second Insulation Film Forming Process)

In the second insulation film forming process S38, as illustrated inFIG. 10B, the second insulation film 62 having the openings 6 p, 6 n isformed on the surface of the wafer with the same material as the firstinsulation film 61.

In the process, the second insulation film 62 is formed over the waferby the same method for the first insulation film 61. Then, the opening 6p is formed in a region where the p-side electrode 4 p is connected tothe p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p, and the opening 6 n is formed ina region where the n-side electrode 4 n is connected to the n-sideeutectic pad electrode 8 n by the known photolithography method,respectively, in the second insulation film 62. Portions of the uppersurfaces of the p-side electrode 4 p and the n-side electrode 4 n areexposed.

(Fourth, Fifth Metal Film Forming Process)

In the fourth, fifth metal film forming process S39, as illustrated inFIG. 10C, the p-side eutectic pad electrode (fifth metal film) 8 p andthe n-side eutectic pad electrode (fourth metal film) 8 n are formed. Inthe second embodiment, the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p is providedto be electrically connected to the p-side electrode 4 p illustrated ata left side in FIG. 10C through the opening 6 p of the second insulationfilm 62 and to extend onto the second insulation film 62 which coversthe upper surface of the n-side electrode 4 n in the stepped portion 3a. Further, the n-side eutectic pad electrode 8 n is provided to beelectrically connected to the n-side electrode 4 n in the steppedportion 3 a through the opening 6 n of the second insulation film 62 andto extend onto the second insulation film 62 which covers the uppersurface of the p-side electrode 4 p illustrated at a right side in FIG.10C.

The p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p and the n-side eutectic padelectrode 8 n are provided separately from each other to the extent thatthey do not short-circuit. Further, the regions where the p-sideeutectic pad electrode 8 p and the n-side eutectic pad electrode 8 nextend are electrically insulated from the semiconductor laminated body3, the p-side electrode 4 p and the n-side electrode 4 n except theopenings 6 p, 6 n by the insulation film 6 having the first insulationfilm 61 and the second insulation film 62.

The p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p and the n-side eutectic padelectrode 8 n can be formed by the lift-off method or thephotolithography method. For example, in the lift-off method, firstly, aresist pattern is formed. The resist pattern masks except the regionswhere the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p and the n-side eutectic padelectrode 8 n are arranged. Secondly, a metal film is formed with ametal material with which the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p and then-side eutectic pad electrode 8 n are formed. Finally, the metal filmformed on the resist pattern is removed (lifted off) with the resistpattern. As a result, the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p and then-side eutectic pad electrode 8 n having predetermined forms can beshaped.

The semiconductor light emitting element 1A according to the secondembodiment can be manufactured by the processes explained above.

Third Embodiment

A structure of a semiconductor light emitting element according to athird embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11C. Asemiconductor light emitting element 1B according to the thirdembodiment is an LED for flip-chip mounting and has a solid wiringstructure as the semiconductor light emitting element 1A according tothe second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8C.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11A to 11C, the semiconductor light emittingelement 1B differs from the semiconductor light emitting element 1Aaccording to the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8C in thatan arrangement range of the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p is limitedon the p-type semiconductor layer 33 and does not extend onto thestepped portion 3 a. Further, the shape of the n-side eutectic padelectrode 8 n differs seen in planar view. Other structures andoperations are the same as the semiconductor light emitting element 1Aaccording to the second embodiment, explanations thereof will beomitted.

In FIG. 11A, the insulation film 6 and the metal oxide film 43 areomitted. Further, in a cross-sectional view illustrated in FIG. 11B,each layer of the substrate 2 and the semiconductor laminated body 3 isnot illustrated by hatching. FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional view alongA-A line in FIG. 11A. FIG. 11C illustrates widths of members and spacestherebetween by scaling as needed to make an internal structure of thesemiconductor light emitting element clearer. Areas A1 to A3 in FIG. 11Ccorrespond to areas A1 to A3 in FIG. 11B, respectively. Shortly, FIG.11C illustrates the expanded areas A1 and A3 and the shortened area A2in a horizontal direction with respect to FIG. 11B.

Further, since the semiconductor light emitting element 1B according tothe embodiment can be manufactured by the same manner as thesemiconductor light emitting element 1A according to the secondembodiment, explanations thereof will be omitted.

The p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p and the n-side eutectic padelectrode 8 n can be formed by forming the resist pattern for shapingthe metal film based on the shapes of the p-side eutectic pad electrode8 p and the n-side eutectic pad electrode 8 n illustrated in FIG. 11A inthe above-mentioned fourth, fifth metal film forming process S39 (seeFIG. 9).

Fourth Embodiment

[Structure of a Semiconductor Light Emitting Element]

Next, a structure of a semiconductor light emitting element according toa fourth embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 12A to12C. A semiconductor light emitting element 1C according to the fourthembodiment is an LED for flip-chip mounting and has a solid wiringstructure as the semiconductor light emitting element 1A according tothe second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8C.

In FIG. 12A, the insulation film 6 and the metal oxide film 43 areomitted. Further, in a cross-sectional view illustrated in FIG. 12B,each layer of the substrate 2 and the semiconductor laminated body 3 isnot illustrated by hatching. FIG. 12C is a cross-sectional view alongA-A line in FIG. 12A. FIG. 12C illustrates widths of members and spacestherebetween by scaling as needed to make an internal structure of thesemiconductor light emitting element clearer. Areas A1 to A3 in FIG. 12Ccorrespond to areas A1 to A3 in FIG. 12B, respectively. Shortly, FIG.12C illustrates the expanded areas A1 and A3 and the shortened area A2in a horizontal direction with respect to FIG. 12B.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12A to 12C, the semiconductor light emittingelement 1C differs from the semiconductor light emitting element 1Aaccording to the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8C in thatthe p-side electrode 4 p is not provided and a p-side eutectic padelectrode 8Ap (third metal film) is directly connected to the coverelectrode 42. Further, the semiconductor light emitting element 1Cdiffers in that the oblong stepped portions 3 a seen in planar view areprovided at three positions, the n-side electrode 4 n is arranged ineach stepped portion 3 a and the shapes of the p-side eutectic padelectrode 8Ap, and the n-side eutectic pad electrode 8 n seen in planarview are different. Still further, the semiconductor light emittingelement 1C differs in that the insulation film 6 is formed in a singlelayer.

In the fourth embodiment, the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8Ap extendsonto the insulation film 6 provided on the n-side electrode 4 n in thestepped portion 3 a as the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p in thesecond embodiment.

A multilayer film laminated with Ti/Ni/Au from, for example, a low layerside sequentially can be used for the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8Apas the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8 p in the second embodiment.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8Ap(third metal film) is directly connected to the cover electrode 42 asdescribed above. Therefore, the bottom layer of the p-side eutectic padelectrode 8Ap which is bonded with the cover electrode 42 made of an Alor an Al-based alloy is preferably made of an Al or an Al-based alloy.As such a metal film, a multilayer film can be used, in which anAl—Cu—Si alloy (for example, Cu: 2 mass %, Si: 1 mass %, Al:remainder)/Ti/Ni/Au are laminated from, for example, a low layer sidesequentially. Thus, since the bottom layer is formed with an Al-basedmetal material, an adhesion property between the cover electrode 42 andthe p-side eutectic pad electrode 8Ap can be improved.

Since other structures and operations of the semiconductor lightemitting element 1C are the same as the semiconductor light emittingelement 1A according to the second embodiment, explanations thereof willbe omitted.

[Method of Manufacturing the Semiconductor Light Emitting Element]

Next, a method of manufacturing the semiconductor light emitting element1C according to the fourth embodiment will be explained with referenceto FIG. 13.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the method of manufacturing the semiconductorlight emitting element 1C according to the fourth embodiment includes asemiconductor laminated body forming process S51, a first metal filmforming process S52, a second metal film forming process S53, a metaloxide film forming process S54, an n-side electrode forming process S55,an insulation film forming process S56, a second metal film exposureprocess S57 and a third, fourth metal film forming process S58.

The semiconductor laminated body forming process S51, the first metalfilm forming process S52, the second metal film forming process S53 andthe metal oxide film forming process S54 are the same as thesemiconductor laminated body forming process S11, the first metal filmforming process S12, the second metal film forming process S13 and themetal oxide film forming process S14 of the method of manufacturing inthe first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A, respectively. Therefore,explanations thereof will be omitted.

Following processes will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS.14A to 15B (see FIGS. 12A to 13 as needed).

In FIGS. 14A to 15B, the substrate 2 is omitted. Each layer of thesemiconductor laminated body 3 is not illustrated by hatching.

FIG. 14A illustrates a state after the semiconductor laminated bodyforming process S51, the first metal film forming process S52, thesecond metal film forming process S53 and the metal oxide film formingprocess S54 are performed sequentially.

(N-Side Electrode Forming Process)

In the n-side electrode forming process S55, as illustrated in FIG. 14B,the n-side electrode 4 n is formed in the stepped portion 3 a. Then-side electrode 4 n can be formed by the photolithography method or thelift-off method. The metal film to become the n-side electrode 4 n inthe fourth embodiment can be formed with the same material as the n-sideelectrode 4 n in other embodiments mentioned above by the sputteringmethod.

(Insulation Film Forming Process)

In the insulation film forming process S56, as illustrated in FIG. 14C,the insulation film 6 is formed over the wafer. The insulation film 6can be formed with an insulation material made of an oxide such as SiO₂in the same manner as the insulation film forming process S15 in thefirst embodiment.

(Second Metal Film Exposure Process)

In the second insulation film forming process S57, as illustrated inFIG. 15A, the openings 6 p, 6 n are formed in the insulation film 6 byetching. Shortly, a region of the cover electrode (second metal film) 42on which the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8Ap is connected and a regionof the n-side electrode 4 n on which the n-side eutectic pad electrode 8n is connected are exposed.

The process can be performed in the same manner as the second metal filmexposure process S16 (see FIG. 3) in the first embodiment. Shortly, aresist pattern is formed, which has the openings at regions where thecover electrode 42 and the n-side electrode 4 n need to be exposed. Themetal oxide film 43 is removed with the insulation film 6 in theopenings by etching with the resist pattern as mask. The concave portion42 a (see FIG. 2) is formed by removing a portion of the cover electrode42 in the thickness direction by further etching. At this time, theetching is preferably performed such that the base surface of theconcave portion 42 a (see FIG. 2) is roughened. Thus, the adhesionproperty between the cover electrode 42 and the p-side eutectic padelectrode 8Ap enhances.

(Third, Fourth Metal Film Forming Process)

In the third, fourth metal film forming process S58, as illustrated inFIG. 15B, the p-side eutectic pad electrode (third metal film) 8Ap andthe n-side eutectic pad electrode (fourth metal film) 8 n are formed. Inthe fourth embodiment, the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8Ap is providedto be electrically connected to the cover electrode 42 illustrated at aleft side in FIG. 15B in the opening 6 p of the insulation film 6 and toextend onto the insulation film 6 which covers the upper surface of then-side electrode 4 n in the stepped portion 3 a. Further, the n-sideeutectic pad electrode 8 n is provided to be electrically connected tothe n-side electrode 4 n in the stepped portion 3 a through the opening6 n of the insulation film 6 and to extend onto the insulation film 6which covers the upper surface of the cover electrode 42 illustrated ata right side in FIG. 15B via the metal oxide film 43.

Since the third, fourth metal film forming process S58 can be performedin the same manner as the fourth, fifth metal film forming process S39(see FIG. 9) in the second embodiment, an explanation thereof will beomitted.

Further, since the semiconductor light emitting element 1C according tothe fourth embodiment does not have the p-side electrode 4 p (see FIG.8B) and the insulation film 6 is formed in a single layer, the number ofmanufacturing processes can be decreased as compared with thesemiconductor light emitting element 1A according to the secondembodiment.

Fifth Embodiment

A structure of a semiconductor light emitting element according to afifth embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 16A to 16C. Asemiconductor light emitting element 1D according to the fifthembodiment is an LED for flip-chip mounting and has a solid wiringstructure as the semiconductor light emitting element 1C according tothe fourth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12A to 12C.

As illustrated in FIGS. 16A to 16C, the semiconductor light emittingelement 1D differs from the semiconductor light emitting element 1Caccording to the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12A to 12C inthat an arrangement range of the p-side eutectic pad electrode 8Ap islimited on the p-type semiconductor layer 33 and does not extend withinthe stepped portion 3 a. Further, the shape of the n-side eutectic padelectrode 8 n differs seen in planar view. Since other structures andoperations are the same as the semiconductor light emitting element 1Caccording to the fourth embodiment, explanations thereof will beomitted.

In FIG. 16A, the insulation film 6 and the metal oxide film 43 areomitted. Further, in a cross-sectional view illustrated in FIG. 16B,each layer of the substrate 2 and the semiconductor laminated body 3 isnot illustrated by hatching. FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional view alongA-A line in FIG. 16A. FIG. 16C illustrates widths of members and spacestherebetween by scaling as needed to make an internal structure of thesemiconductor light emitting element clearer. Areas A1 to A3 in FIG. 16Ccorrespond to areas A1 to A3 in FIG. 16B, respectively. Shortly, FIG.16C illustrates the expanded areas A1 and A3 and the shortened area A2in a horizontal direction with respect to FIG. 16B.

Further, since the semiconductor light emitting element 1D according tothe fifth embodiment can be manufactured by the same manner as thesemiconductor light emitting element 1C according to the fourthembodiment, an explanation thereof will be omitted.

The p-side eutectic pad electrode 8Ap and the n-side eutectic padelectrode 8 n in the embodiment can be formed by forming a resistpattern for shaping a metal film based on shapes of the p-side eutecticpad electrode 8Ap and the n-side eutectic pad electrode 8 n illustratedin FIG. 16A in the above-mentioned third, fourth metal film formingprocess S58 (see FIG. 13).

According to the semiconductor light emitting elements of theembodiments, the second metal film which prevents Ag migration containedin the first metal film as reflection film is covered by the metal oxidefilm containing an oxide of a metal material forming the second metalfilm and the insulator made of an oxide. This prevents deterioration ofthe second metal film, and as a result, prevention effect to migrationdue to the second metal film cannot be lowered. Further, since an Al oran Al-based metal material is used as the second metal film, reflectanceon a contact surface between the second metal film and the semiconductorlayer enhances, light extraction efficiency of the semiconductor lightemitting element is improved.

Further, according to the methods of manufacturing a semiconductor lightemitting element of the embodiments, a semiconductor light emittingelement having the effects described above can be manufactured.

EXAMPLE

A measurement result of light extraction efficiency from thesemiconductor light emitting element to the outside will be explained.The measurement is based on samples of the semiconductor light emittingelement formed with Al alloy and a semiconductor light emitting elementformed with a metal having lower reflectance than Al as comparativeexample.

Manufacturing Condition

Each sample of the semiconductor light emitting elements is formed witha gallium nitride semiconductor material and an emission wavelength is450 nm (blue light).

A shape of each sample is set under condition that the arrangementnumber of the stepped portion 3 a and the n-side electrode 4 n is 4×4=16positions instead of 3×3=9 positions in the semiconductor light emittingelement 1 illustrated in FIG. 1A.

Further, in each sample, when a contact area between the p-typesemiconductor layer and the full surface electrode made of an Ag is setas 100%, a contact area between the p-type semiconductor layer and thecover electrode is 5.0%.

Still further, a metal material for the cover electrode in each sampleis as follows:

Example 1

A single layer film of an Al—Cu alloy (Cu: 2 mass %, Al: remainder andthickness: 2000 nm).

Example 2

A multilayer film laminated with an Al—Cu alloy (Cu: 2 mass %, Al:remainder and thickness: 2000 nm)/Ru (thickness: 100 nm)/Ti (thickness:3 nm) from a low layer side sequentially.

Comparative Example

A multilayer film laminated with a Ti (thickness: 2 nm)/Au (thickness:170 nm)/W (thickness: 120 nm)/Ti (thickness: 3 nm) from a low layer sidesequentially.

Measurement Result of Efficiency

(Example 1) 154.5 [lm/W]

(Example 2) 155.5 [lm/W]

(Comparative example) 148.5 [lm/W]

It is recognized that the examples 1 and 2 in which the Al alloy is usedas the cover electrode can improve 4% to 5% of efficiency compared withthe comparative example.

The semiconductor light emitting elements and the methods ofmanufacturing the semiconductor light emitting elements according to theembodiments are specifically explained above in detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments, but an object of the invention is not limitedto the descriptions and must be interpreted broadly based on claims.Further, various changes and alterations based on the descriptionsshould be included in the object of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor light emitting elementcomprising: a semiconductor laminated body including an n-typesemiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer, which is formedabove an upper surface of the n-type semiconductor layer; a first metalfilm provided on an upper surface of the p-type semiconductor layer; asecond metal film having an upper surface and a lower surface extendingin a lateral direction, and having a lateral surface extending from theupper surface to the lower surface, the second metal film covering asurface of the first metal film, and provided in contact with the uppersurface of the p-type semiconductor layer; a third metal film having anupper surface and a lower surface extending in a lateral direction, andhaving a lateral surface extending from the upper surface to the lowersurface, the third metal film provided within a portion of the uppersurface of the second metal film such that the third metal film is incontact with the second metal film; a metal oxide film including anoxide of a metal material that is the same as a metal materialconstituting the second metal film, the metal oxide film covering thelateral surface and the upper surface of the second metal film outsidethe third metal film in a plan view; and an insulation film that is madeof an oxide to cover a surface of the metal oxide film, wherein insularregions are provided on a portion of the upper surface of the secondmetal film in an area directly under the lower surface of the thirdmetal film, the insular regions comprising an oxide of a metal materialthat is the same as an oxide of a metal material constituting the metaloxide film.
 2. The semiconductor light emitting element according toclaim 1, wherein the metal oxide film is provided in contact with thelateral surface of the third metal film.
 3. The semiconductor lightemitting element according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of thesecond metal film has a rough surface directly under the third metalfilm.
 4. The semiconductor light emitting element according to claim 3,wherein the rough surface includes protrusions, and the metal oxide filmis provided on at least one of upper surfaces of the protrusions.
 5. Thesemiconductor light emitting element according to claim 1, wherein thefirst metal film comprises an Ag or an Ag-based alloy.
 6. Thesemiconductor light emitting element according to claim 1, wherein thefirst metal film is a multilayer of Ni or Ti having an Ag or an Ag-basedalloy as a bottom layer.
 7. The semiconductor light emitting elementaccording to claim 1, wherein the insulation film is an oxide of Si, Ti,Ta or Nb.
 8. The semiconductor light emitting element according to claim1, wherein the second metal film comprises an Al or an Al-based alloy.9. The semiconductor light emitting element according to claim 1,wherein the second metal film is provided from an edge portion of thefirst metal film to a region approximately 2 μm to 10 μm away outwardly.10. The semiconductor light emitting element according to claim 1,wherein a thickness of the metal oxide film is approximately 50 Å. 11.The semiconductor light emitting element according to claim 1, whereinthe lower surface of the third metal film is in contact with the uppersurface of the second metal film and a portion of the metal oxide filmthat is provided on the upper surface of the second metal film.
 12. Asemiconductor light emitting element comprising: a semiconductorlaminated body including an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-typesemiconductor layer, which is formed above an upper surface of then-type semiconductor layer; a first metal film provided on an uppersurface of the p-type semiconductor layer; a second metal film having anupper surface and a lower surface extending in a lateral direction, andhaving a lateral surface extending from the upper surface to the lowersurface, the second metal film covering a surface of the first metalfilm, and provided in contact with the upper surface of the p-typesemiconductor layer; a third metal film having an upper surface and alower surface extending in a lateral direction, and having a lateralsurface extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, the thirdmetal film provided within a portion of the upper surface of the secondmetal film such that the third metal film is in contact with the secondmetal film at a portion directly above the first metal film; a metaloxide film including an oxide of a metal material that is the same as ametal material constituting the second metal film, the metal oxide filmcovering the lateral surface and the upper surface of the second metalfilm outside the third metal film in a plan view; and an insulation filmthat is made of an oxide to cover a surface of the metal oxide film,wherein insular regions are provided on a portion of the upper surfaceof the second metal film in an area directly under the lower surface ofthe third metal film, the insular regions comprising an oxide of a metalmaterial that is the same as an oxide of a metal material constitutingthe metal oxide film.
 13. The semiconductor light emitting elementaccording to claim 12, wherein the metal oxide film is provided incontact with the lateral surface of the third metal film.
 14. Thesemiconductor light emitting element according to claim 12, wherein theupper surface of the second metal film has a rough surface directlyunder the third metal film.
 15. The semiconductor light emitting elementaccording to claim 14, wherein the rough surface includes protrusions,and the metal oxide film is provided on at least one of upper surfacesof the protrusions.
 16. The semiconductor light emitting elementaccording to claim 12, wherein the first metal film comprises an Ag oran Ag-based alloy.
 17. The semiconductor light emitting elementaccording to claim 12, wherein the first metal film is a multilayer ofNi or Ti having an Ag or an Ag-based alloy as a bottom layer.
 18. Thesemiconductor light emitting element according to claim 12, wherein theinsulation film is an oxide of Si, Ti, Ta or Nb.
 19. The semiconductorlight emitting element according to claim 12, wherein the second metalfilm comprises an Al or an Al-based alloy.
 20. The semiconductor lightemitting element according to claim 12, wherein the second metal film isprovided from an edge portion of the first metal film to a regionapproximately 2 μm to 10 μm away outwardly.
 21. The semiconductor lightemitting element according to claim 12, wherein a thickness of the metaloxide film is approximately 50 Å.
 22. The semiconductor light emittingelement according to claim 12, wherein the lower surface of the thirdmetal film is in contact with the upper surface of the second metal filmand a portion of the metal oxide film that is provided on the uppersurface of the second metal film.
 23. A semiconductor light emittingelement comprising: a semiconductor laminated body including an n-typesemiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer, which is formedabove an upper surface of the n-type semiconductor layer; a first metalfilm provided on an upper surface of the p-type semiconductor layer; asecond metal film covering a surface of the first metal film, andprovided in contact with the upper surface of the p-type semiconductorlayer; a third metal film provided within a portion of an upper surfaceof the second metal film such that the third metal film is in contactwith the second metal film; a metal oxide film including an oxide of ametal material that is the same as a metal material constituting thesecond metal film, the metal oxide film covering the upper surface ofthe second metal film outside the third metal film in a plan view, andprovided on a portion of the upper surface of the second metal film inan area directly under the third metal film; and an insulation film thatis made of an oxide to cover a surface of the metal oxide film, whereinthe metal oxide film provided on the portion of the upper surface of thesecond metal film in an area directly under the third metal film isthinner than the metal oxide film covering the upper surface of thesecond metal film outside the third metal film in the plan view.
 24. Asemiconductor light emitting element comprising: a semiconductorlaminated body including an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-typesemiconductor layer, which is formed above an upper surface of then-type semiconductor layer; a first metal film provided on an uppersurface of the p-type semiconductor layer; a second metal film coveringa surface of the first metal film, and provided in contact with theupper surface of the p-type semiconductor layer; a third metal filmprovided within a portion of an upper surface of the second metal filmsuch that the third metal film is in contact with the second metal filmat a portion directly above the first metal film; a metal oxide filmincluding an oxide of a metal material that is the same as a metalmaterial constituting the second metal film, the metal oxide filmcovering the upper surface of the second metal film outside the thirdmetal film in a plan view, and provided on a portion of the uppersurface of the second metal film in an area directly under the thirdmetal film; and an insulation film that is made of an oxide to cover asurface of the metal oxide film, wherein the metal oxide film providedon the portion of the upper surface of the second metal film in an areadirectly under the third metal film is thinner than the metal oxide filmcovering the upper surface of the second metal film outside the thirdmetal film in the plan view.